Terror in Italy as TWO powerful earthquakes strike within just two hours of each other - leaving terrified people 'screaming in the street in darkness'

Two powerful earthquakes have rocked central Italy devastating historic buildings and cutting power lines, about 45 miles north of the devastating August quake that killed nearly 300 people.

The first tremor measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale came at 7.10pm local time on Wednesday, near Visso in Macerata province.

The second quake, measuring 6.1, came two hours later, wiping out buildings and plunging homes into darkness. It was felt as far away as Venice in the far north, Naples in the south and the capital, Rome, where historic buildings are reported to have shaken, 80 miles away from the epicentre near Perugia.

Thousands of people ran out into the streets screaming after the first tremor. The fact they had already left their homes when the stronger quake struck is believed to have saved many lives.

Several dozen people were treated for light injuries or shock, civil protection chief Fabrizio Curcio said, but miraculously no serious injuries have been reported.

Authorities were preparing a survey of the quake-stricken zone at daybreak as bad weather continues to hammer the region. There are now fears the torrential rain and unstable ground could lead to devastating landslides in the mountainous region.

A series of small temblors continue to shake the mountainous region, further unsettling thousands of residents displaced by the tremors on Wednesday night.